Woodham GC: When the going gets tough - the tough get going, and there was no room for faint hearts on the weekend of 3rd & 4th July for the Ladies Club Championship. The weather conditions on both days were appalling with lashing rain and high winds. Defying the conditions Margaret Nisbet carded gross 84 and 80 over the two days to be crowned Ladies Club Champion. Anita Maxwell, with a nett 158 was successful in the nett score competition.

It was a disappointing result for the promotion seeking Woodham Mens Scratch Team as they went down 13-1 to Wearside GC in their crucial North Durham GU League match on Tuesday 6th July.

Woodham's solitary point was earned by John Banks with a halved match. Putting on a brave face, Club Captain Steve Haslam commented after the match "At the end of the day, we are still second in the table. I thought the team tried really hard on a difficult track. At least we have two home games to look forward to, so promotion is still in our own hands".

In the Mens Woodham Ward (Stableford) Trophy Dale Ryder with 40pts showed that the bad weather was not a bar to good scoring winning by one from Richard Hutchinson on 39pts. Scratch Team Manager Dave Goad took third place on 37pts after a countback.

The Seniors section played for the Arthur Gibson Trophy on Tuesday 22nd June 2004 with Colin Vizor coming out on top with 40pts. Michael Gregan with 35pts was runner-up.

The Junior Section contested the JLO Cup on Sunday 4th July, with Michael Kelly coming out on top with 38 points, beating brothers Michael and Adam Fearman who both finished with 36 points, Michael getting 2nd spot on a countback.

In a tight match played at home against Billingham Juniors, Woodham lost out in the second round of the County 5 man knockout competition.

Woodham's number one, Mark Borsberry and number five, Craig Johnston were the first to go down, but then Peter Waters, at two and Michael McGowan playing four both halved their respective matches.

As Sean Kay was still on the course with a chance of winning his match, Peter and Michael were sent into extra time. Unfortunately for Sean, and for the team, Woodham's 17th hole was his downfall (we all know the feeling), which gave Billingham the extra point they required to send them into the next round.

The after-match speech was made by Craig Johnston. Craig's speeches are certainly improving with recent practice- even getting a shot back on his handicap, meaning that we no longer can field a team of single figure golfers, was not enough to save Craig. Best wishes to Billingham in future rounds.

What a difference a day makes. Having been well and truly beaten in the County Knockout on Wednesday, the Junior team took on Seaton Carew in their league match on Thursday night. All the juniors are avid readers of news updates and thoroughly enjoy reading about the Mens team inflicting whitewashes on the opposition. Well on Thursday 1st July the juniors had a whitewash of their own to be proud about.

Playing at number one, in the absence of Mark Borsberry who was involved in a County match, Alistair Grieve set the ball rolling in his first outing for the team this season.

When Peter Waters, at number two heard that he had to play ex Woodham star Isabel Foley, he offered to caddy for anyone who would have him. No need to worry Peter, as he came home a worthy winner.

Sean Kay had a convincing win at 3 and Junior Captain, Craig Johnston also won at Number 4 - no speech this night! Perhaps the performance of the evening came in the 5th match, where Danny Young overcame his opposition to win by two holes on the 18th. Nothing special about that you may think, but Danny was having to give a massive 10 (ten) shots to his playing partner. Despite being a winner Danny Young gave the thank you speech to Billingham GC - a pity, because we happened to be playing Seaton!!! At least the golf was good.

Well done to the Woodham Seniors Team who managed a 8-0 whitewash over arch rivals Bishop Auckland, in the match played at Woodham on Tuesday 29th June.